Iodine lamp connector



P" 25, 1967 L. OBERT ETAL IODINE LAMP CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 27, 1964 INVENTORS o m TM n OMWV n. Mm m M A ril 25, 1967 OBERT ETAL 3,316,526

IODINE LAMP CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 d \jjljve -\f3"7 INVENTORS Luumqo O'BERT y lANFQANCO D'ueso M, Wm n/M United States Patent Ofiiice 3,316,526 Patented Apr. 25, 1967 3,316,526 IODINE LAMP CONNECTOR Luciano Obert and Gianfranco DUrso, Turin, Italy, assignors to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. Filed Nov. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 414,199 Claims priority, application Italy, Nov. 30, 1963, 24,469/ 63 Claims. (Cl. 339-176) This invention relates to a disengageable electrical connector for coaxial type connections and is particularly directed towards a connector for use with iodine lamps of an automobile headlamp assembly or the like.

Iodine lamps are capable of producing much greater candle power than is now possible with conventional type headlamps. Iodine lamp assemblies comprise an envelope of quartz or silicon glass containing an iodine filament which operates to produce light from an electrical energy source with great efliciency. The lamp functions at a temperature much higher than is customary with conventional automobile headlamp applications and rearwardly of the silica envelope the lamp assembly is formed with a metal base section extending a substantial distance so that the overall length of the lamp is significantly larger than the length of the silica envelope. At the rearward end, the lamp is provided with a coaxial type plug of rectangular cross-sectional shape and has a centrally located rectangular tab extending rearwardly of an intermediate insulating sleeve surrounded by an outer metallic sheath which forms a ground connection for the lamp assembly. One difficulty which is presented in making an electrical or mechanical connection to the rear end of such a lamp assembly is in the limited space rearwardly of the lamp available for a connector and the small crosssectional confines of the rectangularly shaped plug within which it is desirable to accommodate the connections.

According to the present invention a connector for such a lamp comprises a rectangular insulating housing formed internally with a passageway accommodating an inner receptacle for connection with a tab of a lamp plug through a forward aperture in the insulating housing, the insulating housing at its forward end entering a rear part of an outer receptacle for slidably engaging the rectangular metal sleeve of the lamp plug, means on the insulating housing engaging complementary means on the outer receptacle for releasably securing them together and internally of the insulating housing releasably securing the inner receptacle thereto.

The insulating housing is suitably of a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to that of the metal sleeve surrounding the lamp plug so that the outer receptacle is of substantially rectangular cross-section throughout its length.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical connector suitable for use with iodine type lamps.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulated disengageable coaxial type electrical connector for use with iodine lamps.

A further object of the present invention is a connector housing having coaxial connector elements thereon.

An additional object of the present invention is a connector housing having coaxial connector elements thereon which are readily removable therefrom.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is given for purposes of illustration and principles thereof and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly in alignment with the rearward end of an iodine lamp;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the assembled electrical connector mounted on the rearward end of an iodine lamp;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the insulating housing shown in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the outer receptacle shown in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 5 is an end view of the outer receptacle shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the inner receptacle shown in FIGURES 1 and 2; and

FIGURE 7 is an end view of the inner receptacle shown in FIGURE 6.

The electrical connector assembly (see FIGURES 1 and 2) comprises an inner electrical receptacle 2, an intermediate insulating housing 4 for accommodating receptacle 2 and an outer electrical connector receptacle 6 for for engaging at its rearward end the forward end of in sulating housing 4 and at its forward end a rear portion of outside sleeve or sheath 8 of plug 10 of an iodine lamp. As can be seen in the drawings, the body of the insulating housing 4 is of rectangular shape and formed internally with a passageway 12 (FIGURE 3) of rectangular cross-section having a restricted opening 14 at its forward end for receiving central tab 16 of the lamp. Insulating housing 4 at its rearward end is formed with a sideward extension 18 formed with a rearward slot 20 extending from extension 18 towards the opposite side of the housing. Slot 20 is open at extension 18 at the rearmost end of the housing so that ferrule portion 22 of receptacle 2 which is crimped onto an electrical conductor is conveniently accommodated within the confines of extension 18 so that the receptacle is shielded by insu ating housing 4. Internally, insulating housing 4 (FIG- URE 3) is formed with a transverse forwardly facing shoulder 24 for engaging a complementary rearwardly facing detent finger 26 formed in the base of receptacle 2.

Upon forward insertion of receptacle 2 into housing 4, detent 26 contacts and engages in front of the shoulder 24 to resist and prevent withdrawal of receptacle 2, forward movement of which is prevented by the forward end containing restricted opening 14.

As can be noted in FIGURE 7, receptacle 2 has sidewalls 28 folded over in rectangular fashion with respective sidewall ends 30 folded inwardly. Flat base portion 32 is raised above lower extremities 34 of sidewalls 28 so that the receptacle cross-section is adapted to fit tightly in a slidable manner within the rectangular cross-sectional opening of housing passageway 12 .with sidewalls 28 and lower extremities 34 in contact with the interior sidewalls of the housing.

In this way insertion of central tab 16 into inner receptacle 2 while the receptacle is in housing 4 effects deformation of the receptacle by bending sidewalls 28 upwardly against the resiliency of housing 4. Flat floor portion 32 of inner electrical connector receptacle 2 is formed with a centrally located detent 33 for effecting a relatively tight fit of tab 16 within the confines of receptacle 2 due to the detent contacting indent 35 on tab 16.

Rearwardly of the receptacle portion, the receptacle is formed transversely with ferrules 22 and 36 for respective crimping to the core and insulation of the insulated wire conductor. Insulation supporting ferrule 36 extends si-dewardly of the tab receptacle portion and ferrule 22 for connection to the core of the wire which is formed within the width of the receptacle portion and has a part thereof rolled up from floor portion 32 between sidewall extensions of the receptacle ortion.

A detent ramp 38 is provided on the top surface of housing 4 in the form of a rearwardly and upwardly inclined ramp centrally disposed in the width of the housing. Rearwardly of detent ramp 38, housing 4 is formed on opposite sides with stops 40 adapted to provide stops for limiting the rearward movement of outer electrical connector 6 relative to insulating housing 4.

Outer electrical receptacle 6 is formed with a receptacle portion of substantially rectangular cross-section with side arms 42 folded over in substantially rectangular manner with edge portions 44 of the side arms turned inwardly along more than half the length of the receptacle portion. Opposite inturned edge portions 44, base 45 of the outer electrical connector receptacle is formed with indentations 46 opposed to edge portions 44, and rearwardly of these indentations, the base is formed with a centrally located aperture 48 of generally rectangular configuration adapted to accommodate detent ramp 38 on housing 4. Rearwardly of the receptacle portion, arms 50 and 52 extend rearwardly on opposite sides thereof and are bridged by conductor ferrule 54 and insulation gripping ferrule 56 for respective crimping to the core and to the insulation of an insulated conductor extending transversely of the receptacle portion.

Upon assembly, ferrules 54 and 56 are located between stops 40 of housing 4 which engage edge portions of arms 50 and 52 to limit rearward relative movement of outer electrical connector receptacle 6 with. respect to housing 4. Detent ramp 38 engages central aperture 48 so that rear facing shoulder 39 of the detent ramp lodges against forward facing shoulder 49 of aperture 48 in order to prevent forward movement of the outer receptacle relative to housing 4. Inner electrical receptacle 2 is accommodated within passageway 12 of housing 4 with detent finger 26 thereof engaging shoulder 24 to prevent rearward withdrawal of inner electricalreceptacle 2, forward movement of which is limited by the forward end of the housing containing restricted opening 14.

Upon assembly of the connector to the plug end of the lamp 10, outer electrical receptacle 6 engages outer metallic sleeve or sheath 8 of the plug with indentations 46 engaging one side surface of the sleeve and in-turned edge portions 44 engaging the other side. The rear ends of in-turned edge portions 44 serve to engage a forward end of housing 4 relative to outer electrical receptacle 6. Tab 16 enters restricted opening 14 at the forward end of the housing and engages inner electrical receptacle 2 in a tight fit thus serving to urge sidewalls 28 of receptacle 2 away from fiat base 32 against the resilient construction of the housing sidewalls.

, It will therefore be noted that the peripheral limits of the connector assembly are substantially the same as the cross-sectional periphery of the plug end of the lamp as defined by outer sleeve 8 and that inner electrical receptacle 2 is accommodated entirely within insulating housing 4 so as to protect and prevent inadvertent short circuiting contact to inner electrical receptacle 2. Quter sleeve or sheath 8 of the lamp is at ground potential so that the exposed nature of outer electrical receptacle 6 does not offer any danger with regard to short circuiting to an automobile chassis or the like.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that the aforementioned and other desirable objects have been achieved; however, it should be emphasized that the particular embodiment of the invention, which is shown and described herein, is intended as merely illustrative and not as restrictive of the invention.

We claim:

1. A coaxial electrical connector of generally rectangular cross-section for engagement with a device having a sleeve and tab insulated therefrom, said connector comprising an insulating housing formed internally with a passageway, an inner tab receptacle of fiag form disposable within the said housing passageway and being resilient against constraint of the insulating housing, the said housing including at its rear end a transverse slot in commune cation wtih said housing passageway for reception of a conductor secured in flag fashion to the said inner recepta cle, an outer electrical receptacle disposable on said insulating housing for resiliently engaging the sleeve, the outer receptacle having at its rear end a transverse crimping ferrule for flag connection to a conductor wire and the said outer receptacle slidably receiving within its rear end a forward end of the rectangular insulating section housing, the receptacle projecting forwardly of the said insulating housing, and cooperating stop means lirmting relative movement between theouter receptacle, insulating housing and inner receptacle.

2. A coaxial electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the forward end of the insulating housing is formed with detent means for engagement in an aperture in the outer electrical receptacle to resist disengagement, and stop means on the insulating housing engaging a rear end of the outer electrical receptacle.

3. A coaxial electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 in which the outer receptacle has inwardly-turned arm portions extending substantially parallel to a web portion for slidably engaging the sleeve at a forward end, and at a rearward end for slidably engaging a forward portion of the insulating housing, and indentations are formed in the'web portion for effecting resilient engagement between the outer receptacle and the sleeve.

4. A coaxial electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the insulating housing passageway has a restricted opening at its forward end for limiting forward movement of the inner electrical receptacle relative to the insulating housing and for guiding the tab into the inner electrical receptacle upon assembly.

5. A coaxial electrical connector comprising a generally rectangular housing member of dielectric material having a passageway extending therethrough, an inner electrical receptacle member of generally rectangular configuration v disposed in said passageway against an inner wall thereof,

an opening in said wall through which a tab passes for engagement with said inner electrical receptacle member, stop means in said passageway and on said inner receptacle member for limiting longitudinal movement of said inner electrical receptacle member, an outer electrical receptacle member of generally rectangular configuration in engagement with said housing member and for engagement with a sleeve member, means on said outer receptacle member and housing member for limiting longitudinal movement of said outer electrical receptacle member in relation to said housing member, the outer electrical receptacle member comprising inwardly-turned portions extending outwardly from one surface thereof and engaging the front of the housing member, detent means in said one surface engaging said sleeve member, said limiting means including one surface having an aperture adjacent said detent means engaging a detent element on said housing member and stop elements on said housing member in engagement With the inner edge of said outer receptacle member to resist disengagement therefrom, and ferrule members on said outer receptacle member for receiving the conductor and insulation of a lead wire extending transversely of the said inwardly-turned portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Heath 339--126 Aquillon et a1. 339211 Keller 339-276 Wofter et a1 339-128 X Obert et a1. 339-476 EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner. W. DONALD MILLER, Examiner. 

1. A COAXIAL ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR OF GENERALLY RECTANGULAR CROSS-SECTION FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH A DEVICE HAVING A SLEEVE AND TAB INSULATED THEREFROM, SAID CONNECTOR COMPRISING AN INSULATING HOUSING FORMED INTERNALLY WITH A PASSAGEWAY, AN INNER TAB RECEPTACLE OF FLAG FORM DISPOSABLE WITHIN THE SAID HOUSING PASSAGEWAY AND BEING RESILIENT AGAINST CONSTRAINT OF THE INSULATING HOUSING, THE SAID HOUSING INCLUDING AT ITS REAR END A TRANSVERSE SLOT IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID HOUSING PASSAGEWAY FOR RECEPTION OF A CONDUCTOR SECURED IN FLAG FASHION TO THE SAID INNER RECEPTACLE, AN OUTER ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE DISPOSABLE ON SAID INSULATING HOUSING FOR RESILIENTLY ENGAGING THE SLEEVE, THE OUTER RECEPTACLE HAVING AT ITS REAR END A TRANSVERSE CRIMPING FERRULE FOR FLAG CONNECTION TO A CONDUCTOR WIRE AND THE SAID OUTER RECEPTACLE SLIDABLY RECEIVING WITHIN ITS REAR END A FORWARD END OF THE RECTANGULAR INSULATING SECTION HOUSING, THE RECEPTACLE PROJECTING FORWARDLY OF THE SAID INSULATING HOUSING, AND COOPERATING STOP MEANS LIMITING RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE OUTER RECEPTACLE, INSULATING HOUSING AND INNER RECEPTACLE. 